Happy New Year!

Another year has come and gone.

This time of year ushers in a wave of hope for a better year -- this year. Sadly, many people believe that "new beginnings" start only with resolutions in January. As if some kind of magical force exists to bring forth drastic changes during this month alone. Now, I must agree that there is indeed a powerful force that brings amazing change in our lives. That power comes from God alone. His love, grace, and power, are the perfect ingredients for new beginngings and fresh starts.

For the women at Bethany House, the minute they walk through the doors, a fresh start has, well, has started. As they prepare for motherhood they uncover new new ways to live and improve their lives.

The staff and volunteers at Bethany House help them embrace the process of change that seems so daunting in the beginning. After all, the idea of change is bound to cause some discomfort ... even postive change. We tend to get stuck in what's familiar, even when what's familiar isn't what's best for us. Thankfully, in a safe evironment, women are able to learn that change brings joy and confidence. It is a new lease on life for the residents of Bethany House.


Ultimately, after nine months of pregnancy, the women end up with the ultimate new treasure -- a baby. There is simply nothing "newer" than new life. The baby in the above photo was born to Jennifer. She is one happy mama. We think baby's pretty happy, too.

So, you want a new beginning? Great! Any time is a good time to start fresh. There's no need to wait for next year when today is as good a time as any. Go on! Grab your new beginnging.


God bless you!


For more information about Bethany House or to give online, visit: http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/

Baby Luvs

Have you ever seen such adorable baby girls? Well, if you have children of your own ... of course you have! -- your own. But, seriously, these to baby dolls were born in the last two months at Bethany House. There mothers were able to find a safe home and personalized program that allowed them to deliver healthy babies and embrace motherhood. Their successes give us great reason to rejoice.

The Christmas Season and subsequent New Year celebration, remind us of new beginnings and fresh starts. This time of year, every year, most of us find time to evaluate our lives and set goals for the future. These precious little ones have their whole lives before them. Thankfully, now, they their mothers have the tools to provide safe homes and better tomorrows. There is nothing more significant than life. Life is the ultimate example of God's love. Jesus' birth demonstrated that love in a very tangible way. God's love for us resulted in the birth of His Son, who would later pay with His life for our sins.

Most of us would die for our own children, yet can you imagine that same child/ren dying for you? I can't. The pain God the Father must have endured watching Jesus in such agony. The pain Jesus felt with the weight of our mistakes weighing on His perfect heart. Such love. '

What do we do as Christians? Do we exhibit Christ's love to the world around us? or do we "look" like everyone else? Sadly, many of us are not much different from our unbelieving neighbors. We say we're against abortion. We say we feel bad for those homeless people. We think about visiting someone in prison. But do we really do anything?

Believe me, I don't write this stuff to shame anyone. If you're convicted, that's the God talking to your heart. I know He talks to mine every time I share a message like this one. Why not help a beautiful baby experience the best new beginning possible. Support life. Call Bethany House, or another maternity program in your area and give something. Anything will help. Can you imagine if everyone gave just two dollars a month to a program of their choice what a profound difference that would make.

Let's start our New Year out on the right track. Giving for God's work.

Visit http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/ to give online. There are lives depending on this ministry. We can make a difference one life at a time. God bless you and Happy New Year!

Tough Times

When you look at the above photo, what do you see? An adorable newborn and her tired, but proud mother. Without Bethany House, this baby would not have received proper prenatal care, nor would she have a solid start on life. I'd like to share Tonya's story with you and let you judge just how much change took place in her life.

Baby Blessing for Tonya – A Modern Miracle - as told by Tonya

I was born and raised in Idaho. The first few years of my life were very lonely. My real mom was a meth addict, as was my dad, when he wasn’t in jail or prison. Unfortunately, my loneliness wasn’t replaced with something better. Instead, I was taken by the state and placed in one abusive foster home after another.

Finally, when I was 8, I got the wonderful news I was finally going to be adopted. Was it possible that the nightmare I had been living would soon come to an end? Little did I know, that my so-called dream-come-true was just the beginning of a nightmare that would last 8 long years. The abuse I endured from the adoptive parents made those 18 foster homes look like heaven. One afternoon, I was late returning home and was hit with an object so hard that I only remember the first blow. When I worked I was being rushed to the hospital. After this incident, I was placed back in the foster system where I went to four more homes and a group home.

After I turned 18, my read dad got out of prison, found me and we moved in together. I honestly thought that this was my chance to have a real family. This was not the case; instead we did drugs together, and committed crimes right up until I was arrested. Then my dad was locked up again, this time for murder. Lost and confused, I jumped head first into the drug world.

A lifeline was thrown out to me by a high-school friend, who invited me to move to Portland. The offer came with a job and housing. Since I was 5 months pregnant, homeless, jobless, and hopeless, I agreed and hopped on the first bus I could, but discovered that due to my criminal history, I was not allowed to live in the place I had planned to call home. I was ready to just give up, but this friend had already donated to Bethany House and knew about their ministry. She asked me to give it a try.

Well, that was in November of 2007, and thanks to Bethany House giving me a chance at a different life, I am now the proud mom of a beautiful baby girl named Jozlyn Marie. Jozlyn was born on February 26th 2008. While living here at Bethany House, I’ve learned the importance of living a life that includes God, making wise choices, and I am working on building healthy relationships with trustworthy people. I honestly believe if it weren’t for Bethany House I would be neck deep in the drug world, and my daughter would be in state care. I can’t find the words to properly describe how incredibly grateful I am and will always be to Bethany House and their supporters.
-Tonya

Just recently, Tonya and her beautiful, healthy, girl moved out of Bethany House into their own cozy apartment close by. Tonya has found awesome daycare nearby allowing her to work in retail management at a local kitchen supply store. This is just another "miracle story" from the pages of Bethany House's book of changed lives.

We want to keep our doors open and make sure that every young woman seeking maternity services will have them available. Unfortunately, due to the economy, for the first time in twenty years, this past year as brought this program to the verge of closing.

Bethany House needs financial partners to keep its program alive and families thriving. Is our mission important to you? If so, put your investment where your beliefs are and give. If radical giving does not happen within the next month, we will close. Three other local maternity homes have had to shut their doors in the past year making keeping ours open even more critical. As pregnancy rates again rise, women who choose to have their children need a safe place to embrace motherhood or consider adoption. Won't you help?

You can donate safely online at: http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/.

Watch for yet another dramatic story soon.

God bless you!

About our residents

Bethany House is in the dream-restoring business. Every few entries, we will share a personal story about one of our current or previous residents. A link or links will be provided for you to visit the "main website" where you can enjoy an amazing individual story of dreams (and babies) that are birthed at Bethany House.

http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/jewels_shining.php

http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/christmas2007_testimony.php